Platinum Guild Pampers and Prepares Celebrities
By Andrea Goodwin, associate editor (agoodwin@beanstalkbiz.com)

In honor of the 64th Annual Golden Globes Awards, The Platinum Guild International hosted their annual Red Carpet Jewelry Preview this past weekend to showcase one-of-a-kind, platinum jewelry designs from over 20 of the worlds top celebrity jewelers including Neil Lane, Erica Courtney, Alan Friedman, Sol Rafael, and Jacob & Co.

Millions of dollars worth of jewelry were on display at the luxurious Luxe Hotel penthouse in Beverly Hills, where celebrities and stylists were able to select couture platinum pieces to wear on the red carpet. Celebrities who wanted to look their best for the big event were also treated to electrotherapy and massage treatments from Spa 415 Beverly Hills, as well as healthy and natural sunless tanning treatments by Chocolate Sun of Santa Monica.

BeansTalk was given a special showing of the collection by celebrity stylist Michael O’Connor, who shared with us some of the newest trends in red carpet jewelry. The highlights included the platinum “Seasons” bib-style necklace by Amgad, with pink, canary, and champagne diamonds (107.26 cts.) which can be yours for about a million dollars.

“Necklaces are really coming back into fashion, “ comments O’Connor, who credits stars such as Sarah Jessica Parker, Queen Latifah, and Judy Dench for the look.

Another highlight of the show was the Lazare Kaplan “Million Dollar” evening jacket, which contains two pounds of platinum, and two thousand diamonds (300.0 cts.). O’Connor suggested the look would be great for a star like Eva Longoria, as she would have to make no alterations to the size. BeansTalk asked O’Connor about the future of the piece, presuming it would be worn by a star at a high profile event. It certainly could not be worn again. O’Connor revealed that the diamonds are actually attached by a platinum chain, which could then be taken off the garment and worn as a “long riviera of necklaces.”

Gathering quite a bit of attention was the $100,000 platinum “Shibuki” necklace. The term “shibuki” means “splash”, as the piece, really a work of art, connotes a splash of water with diamond and platinum droplets (5.52 cts.) O’Connor shared that the necklace is surprisingly comfortable. BeansTalk thought it was exquisite.

Lastly, we thought our readers would enjoy the Ganjam diamond and sapphire wave bracelet (25.81 cts). We noticed this for its arrangement of stone colors and shapes. Suggested retail price: $22,378.00

Commenting on trends, jewelry and style expert Michael O’Connor noted that “celebrities are choosing colorful gemstones including sapphires, moonstones, and rubies all set in Platinum to showcase their glamorous side.” O’Connor adds that “A-listers choose Platinum jewelry because it holds their gemstones more securely than any other metal and makes their jewelry sparkle from afar.”

Celebrities including Felicity Huffman (Desperate Housewives), Mario Lopez (Dancing with the Stars), Sharon Leal (Dreamgirls), Gregory Itzin (24), Rex Lee (Entourage), Perrey Reeves (Entourage), Tawny Cypress (Heroes), Phyllis Smith (The Office), Angela Kinsey (The Office), Kate Flannery (The Office), Brian Baumgartner (The Office), Leslie David Baker (The Office), Rick & Kathy Hilton, Monet Mazur (Monster-in-Law), A.J. Buckley (CSI: NY), Carmine Gio Vinazzo (CSI: NY), Jacqueline Mazeralla (Everybody Hates Chris), Amber Heard (Alpha Dog), Kate Linder (The Young & The Restless), and Brenda Dickson (The Young & The Restless) attended Platinum Guild International USA’s Golden Globe Awards Red Carpet Jewelry Preview where they indulged in a complete Platinum experience.

The following is a list of Platinum baubles celebrities wore on the red carpet. (Retail prices are provided when available):
-Kathy Hilton: (parties) Platinum evening jacket with 2,000 diamonds and 300 total carats by Lazare Kaplan ($1,000,000).
-Sharon Leal (Dreamgirls): Platinum and Tahitian pearl necklace, earrings, ring and bracelet by Mikimoto (total $274,000).
-Mario Lopez (Dancing with the Stars): Platinum and diamond watch by Jaeger-LeCoultre ($70,000), and Platinum cufflinks by Kwiat.
-Forest Whitaker (The Last King of Scotland): Platinum cufflinks and shirt studs by Kwiat or Jacob & Co. ($11,500). For National Board of Review Awards, Platinum and moonstone cufflinks by Neil Lane ($15,000).
-Jeremy Piven (Entourage): Platinum cufflinks by Neil Lane.
-Mary Louise Parker (Weeds): Platinum and diamond bracelets, rings, and earrings by Neil Lane (total over $600,000).
-Sandra Oh (Grey’s Anatomy): Platinum, diamond, and sapphire ring and earrings by Neil Lane (total over $400,000).
-Edie Falco (The Sopranos): Platinum, diamond and moonstone earrings and ring by Stephen Russell ($92,000).
-Elizabeth Perkins (Weeds): Platinum, diamond and black onyx earrings and cocktail ring by Kwiat.
-Mia Maestro (Alias): Darkened Platinum and diamond earrings and a necklace by Neil Lane.
-Kate Walsh (Grey’s Anatomy): 2 pairs of Platinum and diamond earrings, and 2 Platinum and diamond bracelets by Neil Lane (total $400,000).
-Rose McGowan (The Black Dahlia): Darkened Platinum and diamond necklace by Neil Lane.
-Chandra Wilson (Grey’s Anatomy): Custom-made Platinum earrings, bracelet and cocktail ring by Kwiat.
-Sara Ramirez (Grey’s Anatomy): Platinum earrings, bracelet and a ring by Kwiat.
-Isla Fischer (Wedding Crashers): Platinum and diamond ring with moonstones and sapphires, Platinum, diamond and white topaz earrings, and 2 Platinum and diamond bracelets by Neil Lane (total $400,000).
-Rebecca Gayheart (Vanished): Platinum and diamond bracelet and earrings by Neil Lane (total $117,000).
-Ali Larter (Heroes): 3 Platinum and diamond bracelets and Platinum and diamond earrings by Neil Lane (total $215,000).
-Sarah Chalke (Scrubs): Platinum and diamond earrings and a ring by Erica Courtney.
-Marlee Matlin (The L Word): Platinum and diamond bracelet, rings, earrings and a necklace by Erica Courtney.
-Gregory Itzin (24): Platinum and diamond cufflinks with sapphires and rubies by Neil Lane ($14,000).
-Vanessa Minnillo (Entertainment Tonight): Platinum and diamond earrings by Lazare Kaplan, Platinum and diamond necklace by Jacob & Co., Platinum and diamond cocktail ring by Ricardo Basta, Platinum and diamond bracelet by Ricardo Basta, and a Platinum, diamond and ruby bracelet by Ricardo Basta (total $400,000).
-Patricia Arquette (Medium): Platinum, diamond and onyx ring, and a Platinum and diamond necklace by Neil Lane (total $186,000).
-Ginnifer Goodwin (Big Love): Platinum and diamond earrings by Hearts on Fire ($30,000), and (HBO party) Platinum and diamond hoop earrings by Neil Lane ($18,000).
-Perrey Reeves (Entourage): Platinum and black pearl earrings by Mikimoto ($28,000).
-Tawny Cypress (Heroes): Platinum and diamond earrings by Jacob & Co., and a Platinum and diamond ring by Niwaka (total $120,000).
-Maria Menounos (Access Hollywood/Today Show): Platinum and diamond cocktail ring with an emerald and a ruby by Ricardo Basta, and Platinum and diamond earrings by Jacob & Co. (total $142,000).
-Giuliana DePandi (E! Entertainment): Platinum and diamond earrings by Hammerman Bros., Platinum and diamond earrings by Raymond C. Yard, and Platinum and diamond earrings by Amgad (total $188,000). Platinum and diamond bracelets by Alan Friedman.
-Leslie Bibb (Crossing Jordan): Long Platinum and diamond chain by Neil Lane ($130,000).
-Rex Lee (Entourage): Platinum and diamond cufflinks by Nikos Jewels, and a Platinum and diamond lapel pin by Neil Lane (total $28,000).
-Monet Mazur (Monster-in-Law): (HBO Party) Platinum and 28 carat diamond earrings with 566 diamonds by Hammerman Bros. ($110,000).
-Tracee Ellis Ross (Girlfriends): Platinum and diamond earrings by Ricardo Basta ($190,000).
-Angela Kinsey (The Office): Platinum and diamond hairpin by Niwaka, and a Platinum and diamond necklace and earrings by Erica Courtney (total $104,000).
-Phyllis Smith (The Office): Platinum and Tahitian pearl earrings, ring and necklace by Mikimoto (total $51,000).
-Kate Flannery (The Office): Platinum and 108 carat diamond necklace by Amgad ($1,000,000).
-Leslie David Baker (The Office): Platinum and diamond bracelet, ring and necklace by Nikos Jewels (total $34,700).
-Michael Bublé (musician dating nominee Emily Blunt): Platinum tiepin by Kwiat.
-Mya (musician): Platinum and diamond earrings and 2 rings by Erica Courtney (total $98,000).
-Samantha Harris (Dancing with the Stars): Platinum and diamond necklace, ring and earrings by Alan Friedman.
-Nancy O’Dell (Access Hollywood): Platinum and diamond cuff bracelet by Chad Allison, Platinum and diamond necklace by Gurhan, Platinum and diamond earrings ($11,000) and 2 necklaces ($20,000) by Erica Courtney (total $120,000).
-Shaun Robinson (Access Hollywood): Platinum and diamond cuff bracelet and earrings by Chad Allison, and Platinum and diamond ring ($20,000) and morganite earrings ($16,000) by Erica Courtney (total $64,000).
-Lara Spencer (Entertainment Tonight): Platinum and 11 carat diamond leaf brooch with 200 diamonds by Oscar Heyman & Bros ($50,000).
-Kristin Veitch (E! Entertainment): Platinum and diamond earrings by Chad Allison ($6,000).
-Tanika Ray (Extra): 2 Platinum necklaces by Kwiat.
-Billy Bush (Access Hollywood): Platinum and diamond cufflinks by Chad Allison ($12,000).
-Mark McGrath (Extra): Platinum cufflinks by Kwiat.
-Jon Kelly (Extra): Platinum and diamond cross by Catherine Angiel, and a Platinum and diamond bracelet and ring by Nikos Jewels (total $40,000).
-Jason Kennedy (E! Entertainment): Platinum and diamond cufflinks by Chad Allison ($4,000).
-Madison Michele (TV Guide Channel): Platinum and diamond bracelet by Oscar Heyman & Bros., and Platinum and diamond earrings and a bracelet by Lazare Kaplan (total $564,000).
-Nikki Boyer (TV Guide Channel): Platinum and green quartz earrings by Ricardo Basta, and a Platinum and diamond ring by Erica Courtney (total $65,000).
-Brooke Anderson (CNN): Platinum necklace by Kwiat.
-Sibila Vargas (CNN): Platinum necklace, earrings and bracelet by Kwiat.
-Christina Wayne (Broken Trail): Platinum and 15.20 carat diamond “Honeycomb” necklace by Jacob & Co. ($32,000).
-Keisha Whitaker (wife of nominee Forest Whitaker): Platinum necklace and earrings by Kwiat.
-Judie Itzin (wife of Gregory Itzin, 24): Platinum and diamond earrings and a bracelet by Raymond C. Yard (total $260,000).
-Mia Church (wife of nominee Thomas Haden Church): Platinum necklace and bracelet by Kwiat.

Special guests including BeansTalk's associate editor received exclusive gift bags containing items worth over $1,000 from companies including: Chocolate Sun, Aldo, Cross, Kim Seybert, Vera, Gendarme, Biatta Intimates, Westside Medical Spa, Core Pilates, Pureology, Dino Morra, Redken, Neutrogena, and artist Kerry Swank.

In addition, special celebrity guests were invited to autograph limited edition, Platinum Guild engraved iPod Nanos that will be available through the Clothes Off Our Back website auction to support childrens charities. BeansTalk readers can bid after the Golden Globes at www.clothesoffourback.org, as well as keep track of auction results at this website.

About Platinum Guild International USA: Platinum Guild International, the marketing arm for the worldwide Platinum jewelry industry, is dedicated to promoting Platinum and its, pure, rare and eternal qualities to the consumer and the jewelry trade. PGI has offices in each of the world’s major jewelry markets, providing information, assistance and education on all aspects of Platinum jewelry.

For more information on Platinum, please visit www.preciousplatinum.com